Carbohydrates are the body’s most important fuel source for intense exercise. For example, at least 82% of the energy required to power one intense set in the gym is derived from carbohydrate stores in muscle. A group of British researchers have recently shown that strategic use of caffeine before exercise actually increases the body’s utilization of carbohydrate during intense exercise.

Caffeine appears to enhance carb’ metabolism during exercise by speeding the movement of glucose molecules across the intestine and into the blood stream. When more carbs are available, workout intensity is enhanced, when an athlete consistently trains at a greater intensity, the improvements come much faster.

Supplementing before each workout would not only help promote better fat loss but also boost workout intensity and performance in the gym by increasing carbohydrate utilization.

Exercise is known to help prevent colon cancer and cancers of the reproductive system. However, scientists at Rutgers University recently reported that the combination of exercise and caffeine protected against skin cancer.

This study used mice that were exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation. The combination of exercise and caffeine protected against skin cancer compared to exercise or caffeine alone.

The scientists now have to workout the “hows” and “whys” before this information can have real meaning to humans that enjoy exposure to the sun. These results are interesting but don’t throw your sunscreen away just yet.